By Christopher Tan

The economy looks like it is back on its feet (and in some places, playing football). The stock market seems more robust than an 18-year-old. And property prices are, ahem, going through the roof.

So it is once again safe to visit a showroom. But since COE supply is leaner this year, you have to be really, really picky about what you buy. There is no better place to start than on these pages: The annual Life! line-up of new rides.

A couple have been launched already, the Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo Cabriolet, as well as the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Those who shop in the rarefied segment where these cars belong will find more alternatives here. And those whose budgets are more earthbound will likewise find lots of new choices to pore over (in alphabetical order).

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

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Alfa Romeo

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The Giulietta, which replaces the 147, should arrive by December. Sporting Audi-like daytime-running LEDs, the model will appear here with two engines: a 1.4-litre 120bhp and a 1.4-litre 170bhp. Both will have dual-clutch gearboxes, stop-start mechanisms and the latest stability aids.

Aston Martin

The Rapide, Aston's first four-door four-seater tourer, will be here to go head-to-head with Porsche's Panamera and the Maserati Quattroporte.